Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 1 月【開卷有益】世界在等待的門徒

【開卷有益】世界在等待的門徒

 

book在基督教圈子裡幾乎無人不識斯托得(John Stott)這位著名的福音派領袖,他是英國聖公會的牧師,一直擔任諸靈堂的牧養工作,直至退休。然而他的影響力絕不只在一間教會,他致力推動福音派同工團契,提升年輕福音派教牧牧者的視野和士氣;更透過著作、文章及演講而成為全球福音派的思想導師。

他出版過四十多本書,發表過大量的文章,以深邃的聖經觀點,引導普世教會面對挑戰,看見亮光,勇往直前,在這世代為基督教信仰立下了穩健的方向和基礎。他離世前最後一本著作《世界在等待的門徒》(The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling),更累積了畢生經驗的智慧精髓,語重心長向讀者叮嚀:「要作個徹徹底底的基督徒!」

斯托得這本封筆之作,英文書名直譯為激進的門徒,著實令人大吃一驚。可是細心反思,第一世紀的基督徒已經被稱為攪亂天下的人,因為門徒的生活方式有異於一般,他們立志跟隨耶穌的吩咐和命令,在家庭、職場、社區中活出信仰的要求,以非常獨特的價值觀來轉化世界。

作者以八十八歲高齡,事奉上帝一個甲子的歲月所累積的體認,在臨別之時,為這世代的基督徒寫下他心中最誠摯的期盼:要全心全意,成為真正徹底、全然委身的信徒。

環顧今日的信徒,大多是溫和派的成員,缺點是不夠激進,不夠徹底。難怪斯托得用「成長卻無深度」去形容現時基督徒人數急劇增長的景況。不但中國基督徒百倍地成長,南亞、非洲、中南美洲地區也有很多人信主,教會越來越多,也越來越大,台上的敬拜讚美也越來越熱鬧,教會內充滿了聽道的人,可是真正立志在現實生活中作主門徒的人又有多少呢!

作為徹頭徹尾的基督徒,斯托得認為最首要的特質,就是不要隨波逐流。上帝對以色列人在迦南地生活的指引,就是不要效法他們的行為。面對多元主義的世代,上帝呼召全然委身的基督徒:不要效法周遭的文化。我們在這世上不需要過著逃避的隱世生活,但也不能認同世界的潮流與道德標準。基督徒只能效忠聖經的教導,堅持原則,拒絕妥協,甚至抗衡一切違背信仰的思想與文化。

物質主義也成為很多基督徒的困惑,我們既享受物質豐富帶來的快感,卻又不願意成為它的奴隸。斯托得勉勵基督徒不要全心追求物質,這樣會扼殺了你我的屬靈生命。耶穌告誡我們,不要積攢財寶,不可貪婪,要過簡樸生活、慷慨待人、知足常樂。簡單而言,在世俗物質主義的強勢中逆流而上,就是在面對金錢和財產問題時,不過份執著,要淡然處之,因為將來我們甚麼也不帶走。

全心全意跟從耶穌的人也不能侷限自己在個人的領域之內,更應該胸懷世界,關切自己對上帝、對人、對地球的職責。因為上帝在創世之初,託付人類照護管理受造萬物的使命。我們不僅耍與上帝和好、與鄰舍彼此和好,也要與大自然建立更美好和諧的關係。上帝要人尊重祂所造的自然界,但不應把自然界當作上帝來膜拜。同時也不要走向另一極端,就是剝削自然,以為宇宙萬物是為我們而造的,可以肆意浪費、傷害、糟蹋。上帝期望與人合作,共同維護大自然的利益和福祉,這是尊貴無比的召命。因此愛護環境的工作表達我們對上帝的敬拜,也反映我們對造物主的愛。

信耶穌之後,立志作主的門徒,要謹記自己的身份,是永生上帝的兒女,是上帝國度的子民。英皇喬治五世對子女管教甚嚴,他的兒子溫沙公爵還小的時候,每當做錯事,父親總會告誡他說:「兒子啊,要一直記得你是誰。」只要記得自己是王儲,將來皇位的繼承人,舉止行事就應當恰如其份,規行矩步。真正的基督徒也應該同樣看重自己的尊貴地位。

如果每個基督徒都能實踐耶穌基督的教導,遵照祂的命令而行,將會對這個世界造成多大的震撼。而世界正在等待這樣的人,不惜犧牲自我、堅守信仰、遠離惡事、愛護萬物,去更新和轉化此際日漸扭曲的大地!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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